Northwest AEA Preschool Newsletter

September 2021

And We're Off!

Many of you are back in session and the rest will be soon. We're here for you to give you support when and where you need it. This newsletter will be one of our main modes of connecting with you so we encourage you to take time to read and click on the resources we share.


As always, if you have any questions or concerns, we're here to help ~Joyce, Brenda & Shelley

Information from the Iowa Department of Education

Family Style Meals & Toothbrushing Questions Answered

Several of you have asked if we can still have family style meals in our programs. We asked the question to our Early Childhood members at the Iowa Dept. of Education. The reply as of August 30, 2020 is: "I've checked with colleagues here and as of now we would not have recommendations or guidance around making any adjustments to meal service for this school year. In other words, business as usual.


That would apply as well for toothbrushing, with the stipulation to ensure toothbrush bristles don't touch." This was shared in an email to Brenda Jenkins, Joyce Vermeer & Shelley Conover.

Reminders for Statewide Voluntary Preschool Programs

Pediatric CPR & First Aid

IQPPS Standard 5.2: At least one staff member who has a certificate showing satisfactory completion of pediatric first-aid training and satisfactory completion of pediatric CPR is always present with each class of children.


Most districts have everyone certified to allow for times when the certified person(s) are absent.



AEA Learning Online offers the following:

American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED Training
This is the online simulation for completing the learning portion of the American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED certification training. YOU MUST also complete the skills assessment portion of the training in order to receive the American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED certification. To do this, you need to work with any ARC Instructor that has an ARC account with AEA Learning Online. To implement this training with students, please visit the tutorial at bit.ly/firstaidredcross

Price: available at no cost to district and AEA employees

CEUs: none

Subject(s): Workplace Safety

Intended student(s): Administrator, Athletic coach, Custodial, Custodial lead, New Employee, Nurse, Occupational Therapist, Paraeducator, Parent/Community Member, Substitute, Support staff, Teacher, Transportation/Bus Driver


You can find the link here: https://training.aealearningonline.org/catalog.php

Northwest AEA Early Childhood Professional Development Opportunities

Northwest AEA Early Childhood PD Plan

Here you have access to professional development designed specifically for early childhood staff for the 2021-22 school year.

ELL Critical Data Process Sessions by Steve Gill

Are you needing license renewal credits in the upcoming year(s)? We have an opportunity for you AND you can select the learning that best meets your needs!


Northwest AEA is teaming with Central Rivers AEA, Grant Wood AEA, and Keystone AEA to offer a menu of online workshops around English Learners. Click Supporting English Language Learners 21-22 for more information.


Additional information:


Registration Process- Please watch 8 minute RECORDING


ELL Critical Data Process Virtual Training Sessions with Steve Gill


AEA Room Reservations: for AEA Employees and educators who would like to attend in small groups for Steve Gill's virtual training sessions.

Other Professional Development Opportunities

Resilient Iowa

Tuesday, Sep. 21st, 11am to Wednesday, Sep. 22nd, 1pm

This is an online event.

Please join us, IDPH on September 21st and 22nd for this virtual event, as we come together to celebrate our collective work to promote resiliency and mitigate trauma. This year’s theme is “Healing Iowa – Actions that move the State from reactive approaches to proactive communities to enhance resilience.” We invite you to share in these collaborative conversations regarding Iowa’s efforts to heal and move forward. Click here to learn more!

Friday, Oct. 1st, 2pm to Saturday, Oct. 2nd, 4:45pm

This is an online event.

The Iowa Early Learning Fall Institute brings together early childhood professionals from across the state for a unique professional development opportunity. We invite you to join us as we network, share, and learn together, virtually! Click here to select the workshops you would like to attend!

Visit our website for additional information.

Kaymbu 360 Building Brains: The Science of Early Childhood Development

Tuesday, Oct. 5th, 2pm to Thursday, Oct. 7th, 5pm

This is an online event.

Each afternoon from 2:00-5:00 CDT pm you will have access to pertinent topics and discussion groups related to early brain development including the science of play; stress, adversity and young brains; promoting executive function; and the Covid-19 generation: how prolonged exposure to stress is shaping development. EARLY BIRD PRICING ends 8/20/21!! For more info, CLICK HERE

GOLD and myIGDI Checkpoints-click here

Big picture
myIGDIs Early Literacy Assessment

Want to find out more about myIGDIs? Click here to learn more. Register for upcoming webinars and see how you can use myIGDIs as part of your program's multi-tiered systems of support.

GOLD Spring Checkpoint required- see more

Kimberly Villotti from the Iowa Department of Education shared this message with Preschool Administrators and Directors in July.

Early Childhood Special Education

ECSE Supports

Click here to access Iowa's IDEA website. You will find information and resources pertinent to all who work with and/or live with a child having a disability.


The Iowa Department of Education has a page on their website with information helpful to teachers and staff who work with children in early childhood special education. Click here to access the page.


Northwest AEA also has a website page designed to assist you as you support students with special education needs. Here is a link to that page.

Northwest AEA Media

Media and Technology

In addition to special education and educational services, supplemental classroom resources are available to all educators and schools within the Northwest AEA area. Students and teachers can use instructional resources on Iowa AEA Online for free. The Media Catalog has books, DVDs, magazines, book kits, audio books, equipment, labs, and so much more for all grade levels. And the Creative Services Team can produce posters, coloring books, bookmarks, banners, custom vinyl, printing, clings, and more.


CLICK HERE to see some of the new Preschool resources available in our media center!!

Northwest AEA Early Childhood Consultants

Northwest AEA Early Childhood Consultants

Northwest AEA Early Childhood Consultants
We hope to be your first contact for timely and ongoing early childhood support. We want to assist you in improving the performance outcomes and well-being of your young learners.


Joyce, Brenda & Shelley

1520 Morningside Avenue, Sioux City, IA, USA bjenkins@nwaea.org 712.222.6122 nwaea.org/